GDB LVIII: 11

The Ducks tied a franchise record with their 10th consecutive home win Monday v. the Kings, while the Oilers set a franchise record with their 10th consecutive road loss the same night. Tonight they meet for the first time this season, and if you were ever going to play Sports Select tonight might be the night to bet against the Copper and Blue.

Hell, don’t just pick them to lose, if you put down a hundred on them to lose by two you will win 110. Doubling your money is never a bad thing. I don’t condone gambling because too many people have ruined their lives over it, but taking a chance when the odds are this good, might give you an extra reason to watch the game tonight. I don’t bet very often because I suck at it, but when I look at these streaks and just how bad the Oilers are playing right now, even a conservative gambler like me is contemplating it.

In their ten-game home winning streak the Ducks have scored five goals twice, lit the lamp four times in seven games and scored three once. They are averaging 4.1 GPG in this stretch. Meanwhile the Oilers have scored a whopping ten goals in their ten-game losing skid.

If Ryan Getzlaf was playing I’d take this bet in a second, I still might do it, but the Olympian is on the shelf rehabbing his ankle and praying he will be ready to go next Tuesday when Canada plays their first game. I should also mention that the Oilers have won four straight in Anaheim, and nine of their last 12 at the house of Duck.

VETERAN PRESENCE

Getzlaf’s absence is music to the ears of the Oilers non-checking line of Ethan Moreau, Shawn Horcoff and Fernando Pisani. You can’t hide the fact those three have been terrible lately.

Horcoff is -31, Moreau is -18 in his last 32 games and Pisani has only dressed for one win this season; ONE.

I’ve had some GMs and scouts tell me there is interest in Moreau, but the way he is playing I can’t understand why. The Ducks were a team that was sniffing around a few weeks ago, so if Moreau is ever going to play well this year, you’d think it would be tonight and Sunday when the Ducks come to Edmonton.

It is clear Moreau and Pisani aren’t worried about showcasing themselves, because if they were, they’d be playing much better. At least show some emotion. Hit someone, get in a pushing match, or even better, make the correct play with the puck.

The only explanation for Pat Quinn not stapling these three to the bench is that the organization believes that opposing scouts want to see them play. I’d argue the Oilers might be better served to start giving these guys some soft minutes to try and pad their stats, or least stop them from becoming worse.

DUBNYK TO START?

It doesn’t make any sense to recall Devan Dubnyk and not start him tonight, so I’d expect to see the former first-rounder between the pipes. I do expect the Oilers to then send Dubnyk back to Springfield before the roster freeze on the 12th and have Bryan Pitton back up Deslauriers on Sunday, and then send Pitton to the ECHL. If they send him directly to the ECHL, it sounds like he doesn’t need to clear waivers so then only Deslauriers won’t be playing during the Olympic break.

At this point I’m not sure it really matters if they dress Zach Stortini or sit a forward from Monday’s loss, because Quinn can only take out one forward. Right now eight forwards deserve to take a seat in the pressbox.

After two horrendous efforts the Oilers need to show up tonight. They aren’t good enough to be expected to win, but at least compete and try to play smart. The Oilers have 12 players who will need a new contract next year, and when you throw in Steve Staios, Ethan Moreau and Robert Nilsson, who might get bought out if they don’t play well that is 15 guys who have their careers to play for. Pride should be enough to motivate them, but if it isn’t then their future career should be.

GASP! AN OILER ISN’T WORST

When times are tough, some days you need something to boost your spirits and with the Oilers in 30th place in the league, 29th in goals scored, 29th in goals against here is a list where one of their players in only 4th worst. Now this list isn’t filled with a lot of data, and I’m sure if someone (Willis) did a point-per-dollar X minutes played comparison then Horcoff might sneak into the top three, but according to Goldstein Horcoff is the 4th worst contract in the league.

Quick question…why is Moreau the captain still? If the coaching staff is trying to send these guys the message that things need to change, then why not start with stripping him of his captaincy? It makes me physically ill watching him coast along without acare. We are the Oiler army…and it's time for a new General to take this team and lead by example.

I think the point has been made before that even in the most extreme cases a move like that would create some very bad feelings. Also, even if he were a horrible captain, someone else would step up who may not have a letter on their chest.

Changing the captain at this point is a little like shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic. It is prettty clear that most of these guys are simply playing out the string and could care less. Disappointing? Yes. Surprising? Not at all.

It would send the wrong message to strip him. No team strips a guy middle of the year and doesn't replace him.

Fact is every year there is a crap team in 30th and they don't strip the captain. I will say I don't see anyway that 18 is the Captain next year. Mostly because I don't think he will be here, but if he is I'd be stunned if he returned as captain.

Do you think Lowe asked Hemsky to pass more instead of shooting to make Horcoff look good and worthy. Look how much Horcoff is nothing without Hemsky's passes, even thou he only connects on 8% of the passes to get a shot off.

Looking at that list it makes me wonder if Horcoff could be traded for someone else that is almost as much of a rip off?

Players that arnt performing up to standard can and have refound the mojo with a change of scenery. Cheechoo, Liles or Olsez for Horcoff and a small asset to offset the salary and shorter length contract that the Oil would take in return?

I guess for anything that crazy to happen Tambo would actualy have to pick up the phone… never mind wont ever happen.

If there's one thing people should have learned about the Oilers this season, it's never underestimate their ability to disappoint. Looking for a win over those evil Cowtown characters? Well keep looking. Want to beat the Sedin sisters just on the principle of not losing a game to girls? Not happening. OK, well at least we can lose when we need to, right? Especially to the Hurricanes or the Leafs who are the only teams between us and the first pick overall? Hmmmm, not so much.

I'm not saying Gregor's wrong about the odds offered on tonight's game; they're pretty good. I'm just saying that based on the Oiler's track record for disappointment, as long as they know you need them to lose by two, they'll be sure to take this one to OT and lose it there instead. That way, they get the guys who bet on them, the guys who bet against them, and still gain a point to help out Toronto and Carolina in the standings. With the Oilers this season, there's always enough disapointment to go around for everyone.

Ricky D still has about a 10% chance of making that contract work out for the Islanders. If the cap goes up, he stays healthy on a go forward basis, and he continues to develop as a number one goalie (all pretty iffy ifs) the overall number at the end of the day might be workable because he's still pretty young.

It's a rebuilding year JG, I need you to take on roles you havent played before. Be a team player. And dont give me this, I cant play on the LW business. It didnt fly for Cole and it wont fly for you either.

It's way more fun to find new ways to talk about how horrible the Oilers are. After all, it's not like they've been the worst team in the league since January or anything (probably before that too). I'm sure there's plenty more topics of conversation we can dig out of this gem of a team.

Hey, look…this guy must be a part of the fantasy flames team! Our first look at the competition! I like the way the team bonded together to point out how he is a total joy killer…hell, with that much team unity, could 29th position be in our sights?*

ya why dress stortini only plus 4 last 7 games played with 3 assists: 2 primary assists on Pou's last 2 goals: Pou's reward move up storts gets to sit; 4th line arguably most responsible for ending loosing streak: lets not forget their impact on the 5 game winning road streak way so long ago – a goal each game – storts 1st star in one. Let's face it if the fourth line does what it is supposed to do in its role and/ or exceeds it that's not the culture; you can't play better than the soft, or traded for, money boys, not to mention the cry babies; It flies in the face of the culture; Your top 2 lines struggle scoring; your 10 mil checking line doesn't do either; that 4th line better not be plus at the end of the day irregardless of the matchup; that would mean you're doing your job.If it happens – will break you up or sit you.

On a side note, I actually do play defense and have my entire life, in every sport! Someone has a little too much information on me *COUGH Archaeologuy COUGH*. Time to go back into the sleep chamber for 10 more years!